Introduction
The OKX and Binance futures copy trading bots have been running stably for nearly a year, with new versions currently in active development. Today, we've added a significant feature to the legacy OKX futures copy trading bot: position size calculation method.
Why This New Feature Was Added
This addition stems from OKX futures API requiring order quantities to be specified in "contracts" (zhang) as the base unit. For example:
- BTCUSDT: 1 contract = 0.01 BTC face value
- ETHUSDT: 1 contract = 0.1 ETH face value
Contracts cannot be divided - the minimum order is 1 contract.
The Default Calculation Challenge
The default method calculates copy quantities by:
- Determining the ratio between leader/follower account balances
- Multiplying by the copy ratio
- Applying this to the leader's order quantity
Example:
Leader balance: 1000U
Follower balance: 980U
Copy ratio: 1
Leader order: 1 contract
Copied quantity = (980 / 1000) * 1 * 1 = 0.98 contractsSince minimum order size is 1 contract, this would fail (though later versions added logic to round up >0.8 to 1 contract).
The Direct Calculation Solution
The new "Direct Calculation" option simply: Copied quantity = Leader's quantity × Copy ratio
This avoids fractional contract issues when account balances are similar but not identical.
Key Considerations
When using direct calculation:
⚠️ Balance Discrepancy Risk: If follower balance differs significantly from leader, margin requirements might not be met
⚠️ Small Ratio Limitation: Copy ratios <1 may still produce <1 contract results
⚠️ Volatility Impact: Large position sizes relative to account balance increase liquidation risk
Recommended Practices
✅ Set copy ratio to 1
✅ Maintain similar account balances (leader/follower)
✅ Default to balance-based calculation for most scenarios
✅ Monitor positions during high volatility
FAQ Section
Q: Which calculation method is better for small accounts?
A: Balance-based calculation generally works better for accounts under $500 as it automatically adjusts position sizes proportionally.
Q: Can I switch methods while running the bot?
A: Yes, you can change the calculation method at any time through the configuration interface without stopping active trades.
Q: How does this affect existing trades?
A: The setting only affects new orders - existing positions won't be modified when you change methods.
Q: What happens if both methods would create <1 contract?
A: The bot will skip these trades and log the event (configurable threshold available).
👉 Optimize your copy trading strategy today with these new configuration options. The enhanced flexibility helps adapt to different account sizes and risk profiles.
👉 Discover advanced copy trading techniques to maximize your portfolio growth while minimizing risk exposure.